Can A Woman Be A Bishop

God does not support people in their rebellion, and does not accept their impure gifts, Proverbs 15:8. A person should not expect to hear from the Lord in that rebellious state, except the word 'repent', Psalm 73:11, Proverbs 3:13, Isaiah 47:10-11. 1Samuel 15:23, Isaiah 5:20-21, 63:10, 1Corinthians 10:9-10 (Numbers 21:5-6), Hebrews 3:12.As an aside, I'd like to hear as to how many of the pro female Bishop-Deacon-Apostle-Prophet-Pastor-Teacher-Evangelist are married, or in their fathers house, etc.

God never changes.- valerieGod Chose deborah to lead/judge men but now you are saying that God doesn't do that anymore?Don't you realize you are saying God did change by denying that God doesn't choose women anymore?If God chose women in the past to lead, he chooses them now.But you, Glenn, and Trav say "God never changes"?How hypocritical can you be by ignoring the chosen women in the Bible that lead?And Chosen by God at that?No, God has not changed. He does allow women to lead.And Paul was addressing a problem in a church that was still on the milk of the Word. NOT on meat(Spiritual)of the Word.He had to bring a situation under control to prevent a false doctrine from being spread.

Glenn, stand firm in your beliefs.You are correct. God never changes.God's ways are not our ways, and His reasoning isn't our reasoning.Some seem to think God loves men more than women by the roles He assigns.God loves doesn't love women any less just because He won't let them be Bishops.No more than He loves men less than women because they don't get to carry babies in their bodies.People will find anything to complain about or disagree with God.God only had one rule in the Garden of Eden.All God wants is obedience.

---Valerie on 5/25/09

Amen Valerie. Amen Glenn. Men need women. Women need men. Some of both just can't see to find their work/role.

The Christian Church is female! This is going to come to a shock to most non-Christians (and maybe even some Christians), but God's people are referred to as female, not male. :---AJ on 5/19/09

Well you may be shocked yourself. Every scripture you list is calling IsraEL the wife/bride to be. After her divorce she could not be remarried unless the husband died. GOD can't die....but Christ did.Heb 8:8, Jer 31:31 KNOWN AS THE NEW COVENANT. With the former wife he loved as stated.Israel according to the prophets is to be remarried. I will hiss for them, and gather them, for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.Zechariah 10:7-9

1 Corinthians 7:20: Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 1 Corinthians 7:21: Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.1 Corinthians 7:24: Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

Those words, "use it rather"... It has been a very long time since Paul wrote. Today we have women in all walks of higher Education and Power, like Governors, even almost the first female President of the US. Both men and women who in the days of Paul were bound to speak softly and even walk more so, have gained their freedom. What if they "use it rather"? Indeed, a woman could be a bishop.

Miche3754, Peace. Read my first post.Priest and Preacher isn't the same.You don't understand the Priesthood. You are confused on titles.Priest means 'He who sacrifice'Priest and Rabbi are not the same.Priests are in the Levi family.Anyone can be a Rabbi, but to be Priest you had to be born into the family. A Rabbi can't give a blessing, if a Priest is in the room.

Bishops are Priests first.The word Bishop in your church isn't the same meaning as in the Catholic Church.Women can and do preach in the Catholic Church. But not a Priest.

The question above should say:Can women be a bishops in the Protestant Churches?Jewish faith, they can't be a Priests, but they can preach.

Glenn,I will Pray for You, That maybe some day you will see threw the eyes of Jesus and Understand the scriptures and not to Judge,cause discorn and be willing to be humble before the Lord.---AJ on 5/23/09

Reading your posts to Glenn, only makes point of the fact you do not know the story you tell. You go against every prophet.... as do the rebellious ones you defend. Now you do this in ignorance as most doctrines teach. But, to go against prophets?? There is no defense....when Proven/Placed MEN of GOD state one thing and you another.For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:1 Peter 2:14-16

Valerie, Go and look at what I have posted on the can woman be a pastor blog.What Glenn and you are saying about God's word notchanging is true.BUT, God ordained women in the past. Why do you and Glenn say that God's word has not changed then turn around and ignore the scripture that says women can speak?You are ignoring part of God's word to uphold your manmade traditions.Jesus spoke and ministered to women and allowed women the freedom to learn from him and speak to him but you deny these things because of 2 scripture where Paul was addressing and issue NOT doctrine.

AJ:Perhaps, if you do nothing but this, please read your own blogs, and take your own advice. If you genuinely have an interest in following the Lord, he will joyfully lead you. It may seem difficult at times, as you renew your mind, but it is worth it, Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 12:5-11, 1Peter 5:6. Judging: please see Matthew 18:18-20. Matthew 7:1-5 and Luke 6:41-42 deal with hypocrisy, and censoriousness. 1Corinthians 2:15, 5:3, 11-13, 6:4, 11:31 instruct us to judge. In 1Chronicles 16:22 & Psalms 105:15, touch means to strike, or kill. I assume you mean cause discord, which the Bible criticizes those who oppose correct doctrine, Romans 1:18, 2:8-9, James 3:14-18.

Glenn, stand firm in your beliefs.You are correct. God never changes.God's ways are not our ways, and His reasoning isn't our reasoning.Some seem to think God loves men more than women by the roles He assigns.God loves doesn't love women any less just because He won't let them be Bishops.No more than He loves men less than women because they don't get to carry babies in their bodies.People will find anything to complain about or disagree with God.God only had one rule in the Garden of Eden.All God wants is obedience.His Son, had to come down from Heaven to show us how to Obey His Father.Yet, some still refuse.Stay strong.Truth never changes. Even if everyone disagrees.

A.J.:The women who violated Gods order were rebuked. Once again, Galatians 3:28 concerns those saved in Christ, and does not make reference to, less rebut, the command structure put into place by God. One type of blasphemy is to misteach the word, as it is to call him a liar. Another type is to attempt to diminish Gods precepts by denying them. Read 1Corinthians 12 as it disproves your point. Ephesians 1:20-23, 2:19-22, reinforces my point, and shows Jesus' lordship. John 17:20-26, By violating his word, and through disobedience, presumed women bishops, and their supporters, are not "one" in him. 1 John 5:14-15 only functions if you ask "according to his will".

Glenn,I will Pray for You, That maybe some day you will see threw the eyes of Jesus and Understand the scriptures and not to Judge,cause discorn and be willing to be humble before the Lord.This is my last reply,May the Lord himself show you the way if you decide to let him.God Bless

To whom it may concern:At least as it regards the subject of women in ministry, Miche3754 is teaching error, and should be thought of as a false prophet, Matthew 7:15-20. Miche3754:Often, the first correction is to rectify error due to ignorance, the second is to respond to deception, and the third is a rebuke due to rebellion. Yet, you have been corrected several times, and by different people. You are not reading, or you don't understanding, the blogs addressed to you. You keep making statements, and asking questions, that have been answered already. You are insensitive to the Lords direction. Please take a copy of your blog entries, and the responses to them, to your 'Pastor'. If he is pleased, leave your church.

Glenn,Jesus came to establish a new and better covenant. WHY did Jesus do this? Because the old was not sufficient.So, the laws you keep throwing at all of us are of no effect in the Body of Christ.God is no respecter of persons. God does not deal in the flesh - as you keep trying to say. God deals with Christ only and only those in Christ.Why do you insist on putting us all back under bondage when Christ says in him we are free! We don't any burdens!that includes the flesh of our bodies male or female.

Part1Glenn: You are not reading about the women that were working in the early church

This is straight from Pauls words,

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) Romans 3:22

Are you also calling him blasphemous??

All races, classes, and sexes are one in Christ and equal in rights and privileges regarding gospel benefits.(1 Cor 12:13,28-31, Eph 1:20-23, 2:19-22, Col 3:11). The gulf between Jews and Gentiles, masters and slaves, male and female has been bridged by Christ and the gospel.[one in Christ Jesus] All Christians are one in unity, in rights, and in privileges (John 17:11,21-22, 1 John 5:7).

Part 2Glenn: Note how Jesus says these and them and they and not him or her>John 17:11-1811 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled.13 And now come I to thee, and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.14 I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15-18

AJ on 5/20:So far, your entire argument in favor of women bishops is that there are women on the earth. Jesus never criticized anyone for poor automobile driving skills, either. First century Israeli women weren't public teachers. See Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21.5/19: Your closing paragraph is blasphemous. Genesis 1:26, Ecclesiastes 7:29, Colossians 3:10, Ephesians 4:24, "God hath made man upright", not respecting gender. 1:27, God says "male and female created he them", it showed that there was an important distinction between the sexes. You attempt to misuse a part of one verse to disprove a part of an adjoining verse.

Glenn: Please Pray first for the holy spirit to guide you and then Read and study the scriptures I have given,CONCLUSION The essence of biblical equality can be summed up in Paul's letter to the Galatians: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) Romans 3:22Even though the world does not treat humans as equals, as members of the body of Christ, all are equal spiritually in the eyes of Jesus. Matthew 23:12, Matthew 18:4, 1 Peter 5:6, Mark 9:35

One needs only to look at scripture to know the truth as only the truth will set them free. OBVIOUSLY a WOMAN cannot be a man of one wife!

Therefore to argue otherwise is just contentious and arguing that a single man cannot be a bishop means the person putting forwards these ideas is just plain and simple void of Biblical understanding.

Paraphrased:For it is written he must be blameless, have one wife, his home and children must be in order, he should be a Godly example to all which suggests a man that has complete Divine order over his home in line with biblical standards, qualifying his position to be called a Bishop.

No. Bishops comes from NT Priesthood.Only Men can be Priests.Everyone can preach and teach, including women.Priest means: He who sacrifice.

One is a Priest first, then a Bishop.

Protestants don't sacrifrice anything.No Priesthood in Protestant's faith.No Holy Mass.Protestants took the word 'Bishop' thinking it means Leadership in preaching and teaching. The word is used without understanding, and now people are fussing on this website.Go to a Jewish or Catholic website, to understand the Priesthood.Both faiths allows women to teach and preach. But not ordained as priests.

The gospels record that the women were the first to hear the news of Jesus' resurrection from the angels and the first to see Him (since the men had gone into hiding or back to their original jobs after Jesus was crucified). Matthew 28:5-6, Mark 16:5-6, Luke 24:5-6, John 20:18, Mark 16:9 In contrast to the gentleness and kindness with which Jesus treated women, He reserved His more scathing comments for the arrogant male religious leaders of His time. These He labeled as "serpents," "brood of vipers," and "whitewashed tombs." Matthew 23:33, Matthew 12:34, Matthew 12:34, Matthew 23:27

AJ:Please read lines 9-10, Glenn on 5/17/09. Barak and Deborah were judges. He was the military leader. In Numbers 12, Miriam, not Aaron, received leprosy due to attempting to take on something pertaining to men > Adam: Genesis 2:15 / Eve: 3:1-6, Deuteronomy 22:5 & 1Corinthians 11:1-(16)]. An old testament Prophetess and a new testament Bishop-Prophet is not the same thing. Phillip's daughters sang psalms, and Agabus came down from Judea, Acts 21:10-11. Deacon and Deaconess is not equal. Phebe was a patroness, and sponsored a Congregation. She didn't violate 1Corinthians 11, 14, and 1Timothy 2.

The Christian Church is female! This is going to come to a shock to most non-Christians (and maybe even some Christians), but God's people are referred to as female, not male. In the Old Testament, God's people are the "daughters of Zion." Isaiah 62:11, Zechariah 2:10, Zechariah 9:9The Church or body of Christ (including us men) is referred to as the "bride" of Christ Revelation 19:7, Revelation 19:9, Revelation 22:17 and God is said to be our "husband." Isaiah 54:5 Whenever referred to by sex, the Church is described as "she" or "her." Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:27

Created in the image of God!Most people know that the Bible says God created man in His own image. However, many do not know that "man" includes both males and females. Both males and females are created in the image of God:And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27)This verse implies that the "image of God" encompasses traits found in both males and females and that the physical sexual differences between the sexes are not important characteristics in terms of how mankind was created in God's image.

The women described in the Bible are not always homemakers and mothers.However, Deborah was both a judge and leader of Israel. Judges 4:4 Other women were involved in ridding Israel of her enemies. Judges 4:21, Judges 9:52-53 Quite a number of women are described as being prophetesses. Exodus 15:20, 2 Kings 22:14, Luke 2:36, Acts 21:8-9 Other women in the Bible were involved in teaching the Word of God or serving as deaconesses in the early Christian church. Acts 18:26, Romans 16:1, Romans 16:6, Romans 16:12 Although all of Jesus' twelve disciples were men (there is good reason for this), there were a number of women who were loyal followers and who ministered to Him and His disciples. Matthew 27:55-56

Since Jesus made the decision to only use men in certain positions within the Church structure, to dispute it is to call him a liar. Thus, to reject his word, is to reject Him. God chooses whom he will use and where he will use them. God is neither glorified by doing a favor for Satan, and calling it holy, nor by being a wolf in sheep's clothing. The Lord is not pleased with people who are stiff necked in their ignorance, and have a rebellious heart. 2Chronicles 30:8, Psalm 78:7-8, Proverbs 28:14, Isaiah 48:3-8, Hosea 4:6-7, Malachi 1:14, 3:15, Acts 7:51, Hebrews 3:7-19.

I don't get it was Mary a Bishop/pastor/preacher/Deaconess in the New Testament?. Or did Mary through faith and forgiveness become a follower of Christ where does it say she was a teacher, Rabbi, Leader????????????

Not that you said so directly. why is she used as an example?

Who said women could not witness for the Lord?????????????

Are some of you really reading the Question it asks if indeed a woman biblically can be a BISHOP? Or are some of you just jumping at the opportunity to argue that gender specific roles with in Society are the same as Gods Holy order in the Bible?

Think about this, Do you know who the first preacher was after the resurrection of Jesus?? Her name was Mary, He Jesus told her to go and tell them I am alive. Jesus will use anyone who seeks him. Male or Female. Don't worry about who Jesus will use just seek him and let him use you, both Male or Female (Whosoever).

Rhonda,exactly what is the definition of leadership to you?You said women could lead in the OT but then in the NT women can't.Sis Christ came to set us free, not put us in bondage.Pheobe was in charge of the Church at Ceasarea. She was a leader. She lead services, she taught,she preached. she helped spread the Gospel, She was the shepherdess of that particular church.So, again, if Paul meant all women, then why would he give a woman this position when there were plenty of men following him?

To ALL Men - When you say that women cannot be in leadership in the church, you are being oppressive - like the Devil. God NEVER said that women cannot be in leadership in the church, this is a man-made law. Also you are saying this out of REBELLION to God. Follow and obey God only, not man.

To ALL Women - When you say that women cannot be in leadership in the church, you do so out of DISOBEDIENCE and REBELLION to God concerning your call to ministry. Obey God, and Rise up into your God-given destiny.

Your stance is that Paul is lying I'd be very careful how you put about his name he for one will be there to judge you not you judging him.

The word of God is inspired by the God that appointed Apostle Paul, agreed and bound in heaven, so nothing you can say of yourself or any other gospel can be accepted or you are in danger of presenting a different doctrine shipwrecking the gospel.

If this is indeed your reasoning we are instructed not to shun such a person!

You cannot flip gender like a pancake let wisdom abode, It stresses a mans role so why procrastinate!

carla,the original of those verses were gereralized.Just like when the Bible says "man" or "he".It doesn't exclude women to be saved.

The original greek is generalized (meaning either male/female).So what applies to a man can and does apply to a woman.Do you think it is okay to flip scripture to mean women can be saved BUT not flip this one and say a woman CAN serve God?Phoebe was a deacon/biship (they mean the same thing). SO, how do explain Paul appointing a WOMAN to lead?Again, maybe we are not reading the scripture how it should be applied.

....Deacon, Bishop, Elder, and Pastor ALL mean the SAME thing and are used interchangeably. They ALL mean overseer, shepherd, and servant.*****

yes they are all servants in various leadership positions of which there is a CLEAR LEADER

interchangeable? no a deacon would NEVER lead an entire ministry

clearly this would be absurd ...if you truly believe they are "interchangeable" each position is "the same thing" then without a leader Christ is not leading that ministry ...Christ leads one man NOT many

This [is] a true saying, [b]If a man[/b] desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 1Ti 3:2

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach,

2Ti 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ [be] with thy spirit. Grace [be] with you. Amen. [[[The second [epistle] unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.]]]

Rhonda,You deny any leadership positions given to many women in the Bible BY GOD HIMSELF.But that is okay, you may not be ready for that truth.Yes, the first 12 disciples, were men. But he sends them to make more of ALL nations- No mention of just men.Matt28:19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,Romans 6:3 says we are baptised into Christs death.Are we still female if we are dead?No.

1st Rhonda - If you do a Biblical word study of the word Deacon, you will find that Deacon, Bishop, Elder, and Pastor ALL mean the SAME thing and are used interchangeably. They ALL mean overseer, shepherd, and servant.

2nd Mark V. - You can get information on these things from Pastoral Commentaries, Bible Concordinances, and Histories of the Bible, Church, Jewish traditions, and Christian traditions.

Leslie, can you direct me to where it says that women use to seat at the back of the church and yell at their husbands? I never heard of that. If they yelled at their husbands from the back don't you think that was worse then seating in the back? And you said that is why the rule came in by Paul. Can you show some passages to that effect? I know there was trouble with the women, but I didn't know they had to seat at the rear. That information might be there and I missed it. I know a lot of the information about Scripture is found in other books, so I was just wondering which books?

1 Timothy 3:1 This a true saying,"if a man" desire the office of a Bishop,he desireth a good work. "if a man" in Greek Lexicon,Strongs Concordance 1536,doesn't mean man at all,in fact it means "whoever or whatever". In the light of "whoever" it could have said if a person meaning either gender,or a woman,desire the office of Bishop. That takes away the narrow scope of just a man. Naturally the following verses would have been changed from "he" to "she. It isn't in the written Greek word just man but it was in the Society or Culture at the time Bible was written into English.

6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God, not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, 8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, 9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.Paul wrote this as well so why would he make a woman a bishop?

It's not a matter of education in the past. It's a matter of the order and structure of God. "God is a God of order..." No women are not permited to be the authority of a man. It's not against women or to say women aren't valuable or any less. It's just the order of things. Get over it!

Adrienne - Look at the history of those verses. During that time, women could not sit at the front of the church - only the back. They yelled at their husbands to tell them what the pastor was saying - thus disrupting service. This is where the women are to be silent law came from, NOT to say that women could not be in leadership within the church. When people use this verse, and twist it, they are speaking LIES and are NOT in line with the Bible. Again, Paul appointed Pheobe (a woman) to be a Bishop. Read your Bible.

Addrinne,thanks for verses,but doesn't prove woman can't be active in Church. In fact only one man with authority over a woman,her husband. Only Husband has authority over wife/woman to usurp,as stated in Genesis 3:16 Your desire will be for your husband,and he will rule over you. Note,tells women to be silent in Church,to ask husband at home. The shame was making her husband,head of family,look stupid by blurting out questions in Church. At that time unlearned women were yelling across Church,demeaning husbands position as family head. 1 Timothy 2:11 confirms talking about husband & wife. 1Corinthains 13:34 as saith the law,run reference on that,will see it goes right back to Genesis 3:16 is Law of Husband over wife.

The bible is very clear on this women are to be silent in church and are not permitted to teach or have authority over man in the church or the home. Anyone that denies that is going against Gods law not mans.

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak, but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. -1 Corinthians 14:34And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. -1 Corinthians 14:35 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. -1 Timothy 2:11But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. -1 Timothy 2:12For Adam was first formed, then Eve. -1 Timothy 2:13And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. -1 Timothy 2:14I dont see how you can misunderstand that...simple

Rob - What you speak is nothing but LIES, and is NOT lined up with the Bible. Look at Pheobe who was a woman and a Bishop appointed by Paul. I do NOT reject any scripture, but you from what I can tell do. You are speaking Heresis and LIES.

Rhonda,we can't fool the Holy Spirit.All of the women I know that are in these positions, weren't put their by lies.God told the elders , pastor, and deacons of the Church- MEN.. that these women are to be appointed. Some even tried to run from their gift. And you know you can't do that. If God says it its done.If God told them, none I know ever revealed it until they were approached by the Elders, etc.. by the Church and said to them that the HS had revealed to them they should be such and such.The word says wives should not usurp athority over their husbands. That wives should keep silent in church.. not all women.Only the ones not called to ministry.

Leslie, it is apparantly you who are the one who is a modern day Pharisee ( did you notice that you mispelled Pharisee? I wonder if you do indeed read scripture)). Do you still reject 1 Timothy Chapter 3, as it is written? If so, you are doing what is written in Romans 1:25-26, and 2 Peter Chapter 2.

Leslie, have you ever done indepth study and research on the Apostles? I have. If you had done this, you will know for a fact that any person in the world today who claims to be an Apostle, falls into the catagory which is found in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. But you probably reject these things even though they are clearly written in scripture.

Leslie, I am SAVED A BELIEVER, AND A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, Galatians 2:17-21. How about you?

I CHOOSE only truth in Word of God ..."error" is making claims AGAINST Word of God men blindly follow women choosing instead to IGNORE Gods Holy Word follow women OUTSIDE of Christ ...Christ not leading any women in his Spiritual Church within any leadership roles other than deaconess

...Christ is not present where women have self-appointed themselves to positions he did not give them within their homes ---Rhonda on 3/6/09

No one said anything about being self appointed Rhonda. This is where your error is.If a woman is called by AND it is confirmed by a pastor and/elder, then there is absolutely NOTHING man can do about it.This is confirmation sis. NOT men's doctrine.You and I should know that it isn,t about the doctrine of men/women. It is about what God says. And He says he using things that confound the wise...1 Corinthians chapter 1.read it and enjoy. God bless you!

God was giving you the perfect example.He was not saying that man is head of woman IN the Church.******

even if one applies critical thinking less spiritual ...if man is head of a women at home then you foolishly believe she "leads" elsewhere?

men following Gods Word and instructions by LEADING their wives in a Christ centered spiritual home YET somehow directly contradicting their home life by following a lead of a women in their spiritual life?

by mocking Christ and calling him a liar you FAIL to spiritually comprehend that Christ-like HOME is MODEL for SPIRITUAL Church

...Christ is not present where women have self-appointed themselves to positions he did not give them within their homes

Rob - God and His Word are the SAME yesterday, today, and forever. They do NOT change. If you think that woman can NOT serve as Bishops, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, Prophets, or Apostles, then you are following the DOCTRINE of MAN, NOT the Doctrine of God. You are a modern-day Pharasis, and are NOT truly saved or following Jesus, but rather following man.

It is not God taking these scripture OUT of context. It is man.They have applied tradition to God's word.Paul says in those verses plainly that "the law" is why he allowed wives and women to be restricted in the first place. Now, we are no longer under the fleshly law.And those who support women not ministering flat out deny that any of the women you mentioned count. That they are and exception.That God doesn't use women in these ways anymore. but God says he doesn't change. He can and does use women in any way He will to spread his gospel.

Rob - I do NOT reject ANY of the Bible, including 1 Timothy 1 and 2. However, it does NOT say anything that woman cannot serve in ministry as Pastors, Bishops, Teachers, Evangelists, Prophets, or Apostles. NONE of the Bible teaches such things. MAN made these rules to suppress women from their God-given callings. The examples of women that followed their callings were: Deborah, Mary Magdeline, Mary mother of Christ, Martha, the woman at the well, Ester, Pheobe, Ruth, the list goes on. God would have NEVER used these women if He did not mean them to be in ministry. He would have used a man instead. This is how we know that women serving in ministry IS of God.

Rhonda,God was giving you the perfect example.He was not saying that man is head of woman IN the Church.God said That the husband is the head of the wife AS Christ is head of the Church."AS" is a comparitive word.It has a completely different meaning than the "IN" has.Does it say man is the head of woman? NO.It says the HUSBAND is the head of WIFE.Christ is not a Man. He is God.

rhonda, explain WHY Pheobe and other women were put in charge of a church body then?

WHY would God put Deborah as a Judge?AND both of these women were put over men. WHY would God defy his own order if thats the order Paul is really talking about?Is it possible Paul is addressing orderly WORSHIP?I don't think he's restricting all women. I believe he's directing it to women or WIVES who like to run their mouths in service and disrupt it. Because Paul gives orders for prophets and others in the chuch. AND we know a woman can be a prophet. Paul tells them when they should speak. He's addressing BOTH men and women prophets on this.

There is NOTHING in the Bible that indicates that woman cannot be Bishops, Pastors, Evangelists, Prophets, Apostles, or Teachers of the Word. The people that teach that woman cannot do such things, are following MAN-MADE traditions, and NOT following after God. They are the so-called modern day Pharasis that Jesus so HIGHLY critisized, and told people to STAY AWAY FROM. Even woman will tell you these things, because they are guilty of NOT fulfilling what God has called them to do. These woman are in DISOBEDIENCE and REBELLION to God. Make sure to follow ONLY God and His Word, NOT man - this will keep you out of alot of trouble.

Bruce, according to Jesus, ALL positions in the Body of Christ- The Church, The Bride are SERVANT postions.Remember the washing of the feet?What was Jesus demonstrating?

AGAIN, Phoebe was in charge of the Church. Paul addressed her as such. A concordance isn't needed to understand the Bible. I trust GOD. God says he will teach us all things and bring ALL things to our understanding if we ask. Thats what I do.I understand that a bishop is 1 part of the whole Body.I also understand that both men and women can and are Elders- according to the Holy Spirit NOT in human age.The Church is Spiritual, not fleshly. Jesus is the ONLY HEAD. NO pastor or any other fleshly being can replace or represent Jesus.